Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-23

A correspondent in another column takes issue
with ex-Conmis 1Oner's statement OF yesterday
that there has never been IN n single instance
diversion Of the appropriation for one street 10 an
ether street not appropriated for. Af. CiarKes
charge has the merit IN point OF form that IT con-
tains all the necessary allegations TO make sub
stantfal issue, and therein differs from the state
ments OF specific cases made At the meeting or the
Citizens Committee in the attempt 10 sustain the
subcommittee report asserting the existenceof
practice thus 70 divert appropriations. long pre-
yailng, which needed prompt correction by leg1s-
lation- Our two correspondents are in shape to
fight out their side issue. If IN support OF the re-
port, Instances In the careers OF the various Com
missioners who have from time to time constituted
the District government were alleged, In which an
appropriation made specifically and exclusively
for q certain street was spent upon another street
not named IN bill or estimates, and these alleged
Instances were sufficiently numerous TO suggest
that such diversions had become habitual then
an equally distinct issue would be raised
under the allegations OF the report. II as
suggested by another correspondent in to-
days STAR the diversion to which the
subcommittee referred consisted merely In al
legged favoritiSm and errors OF judgment on the
part OF Commissioners in the selection OF streets
from those mentioned in the estimates 70 be In
proved under reduced appropriation, insufficient
for the whole work, then the terms employed were
too broad and unintentiOnally gave an opportul-
III 10 enemies of the District 20 represent the Cft
liens Committee as accusing all the Commission
ers past and present, OF making practice OF such
diversions as that charged by Mr.. Clarke in To-
days STAR Public opinion favors specific approp-
Nations for Improvements by Congress, but 1t also
views recommendations upon the subject TO Con-
gress at this time as premature. especially when
made in such q manner as TO suggest some
necessary antagonism between the Citizens
Committee aud commissioners. The needs Of the
capital city so numerous and so great, and its
legislature with members from everywhere but
Washington, Is 50 peculiar in its organization and
Is with such difficulty Kept In the right track as
local governing body, that the city cannot afford
TO lose any OF its means OF fmpressfng its
wants on Congress, or 10 encourage antag-
oniSms which Will tend to neutralize all efforts
for its benefit. The people OF Washington
require the energetic and harmonious la
the citizens associations and the local press
There Is great work before the citizens commit
tee IL labors dsintereStedly for the good OF the
District and co-operates heartily with other agen-
eieS which tend toward the same end. With the
railroad problem 10 settle, the river front to
claim, neglected sections Of the city to improve,
public buildings TO erect, and a dozen othermat-
tiers OF the highest Importance to the city to be
accomplished, the less dlScord and recriminatiOn
among the true friends OF Washington and the
greater harmony in organized effort before Con-
gress, the better it will be for the city OF which
we are all proud.